clumsy
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.clum·sy
adjective \ˈkləm-zē\clum·si·erclum·si·est
Definition of CLUMSY
1
a : lacking dexterity, nimbleness, or grace <clumsy fingers> b : lacking tact or subtlety <a clumsy joke>
2
: awkward or inefficient in use or construction : unwieldy <a clumsy contraption>
— clum·si·ly \-zə-lē\ adverb
— clum·si·ness \-zē-nəs\ noun
See Examples of CLUMSY
- I'm sorry about spilling your wine—that was very clumsy of me.
- I have very clumsy hands and tend to drop things.
- She made a clumsy attempt at a joke.
Origin of CLUMSY
probably from obsolete English clumse benumbed with cold
First Known Use: circa 1598
Related to CLUMSY
- Synonyms
- awkward, butterfingered, cack-handed [British], graceless, ham-fisted, ham-handed, handless, heavy-handed, left-handed, maladroit, unhandy, all thumbs
- Antonyms
- deft, dexterous (also dextrous), handy, sure-handed
See Synonym Discussion at awkward
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